[comp.sys.apple] Quadram ProDOS Clock/Calendar Card Troubles

sipples@husc4.UUCP (03/15/87)

I'd like to advise net readers against purchasing the Quadram ProDOS Clock/
Calendar, at least until Quadram's Apple Support improves.  [Quadram, are
you listening?]

I purchased the Quadram ProDOS Clock/Calendar from Programs Plus in Stratford,
Connecticut, on June 24, 1986.  The serial number for the card is
AP104-0000197, and I received a draft copy of the documentation, so I suspect
that the card was one of the first few off the production line.  The firmware
was written by a third party.

Unfortunately, the card didn't work correctly after the first month.  It kept
time quite well, except that it had to be readjusted after every month.  At
the end of the month the clock card either incorrectly adjusts the year or
day of the month.  (The year is calculated within ProDOS, but is dependent on
a correct reading of the day of the week from the clock card, so I'm told.)
In other words, I was forced to
readjust the clock after each month, contrary to the documentation (and any-
one's sensibilities).

I put up with the problem for a few months, just to make sure that
it was recurring.  Late last year I tried to contact Quadram.
Despite four or more long distance telephone calls to Georgia, leaving my
name and number, no one returned my calls.  And somehow the necessary indi-
vidual (one person?) was always "out."

So, I tried U.S. Mail.  Ditto -- no response.

I appreciate Quadram's one-year warranty, but I wish they'd support it.

If anyone else has experienced similar or contrary results, please let me know.
In the meantime, I caution others against the purchase of the Quadram ProDOS
Clock/Calendar.

Timothy F. Sipples, Harvard College

sipples@harvunxu.bitnet
sipples@harvsc4.bitnet
sipples@husc4.harvard.edu
sipples@husc4.uucp
seismo!harvard!husc4!sipples